> [!infobox] > ![[Vaaldin.png]] > ###### Information > | | | > | ---- | ---- | > | **Titles** | The Keeper of Infinite Paths, The Starborn Seer, The Mistress of the Void | > | **Domain** | Cosmic | > | **Gender** | Feminine | > | **Alignment** | Neutral | > | **Artifact(s)** | Greatsword | > # Symbol > ![[Vaaldin Symbol.png]] ### **Description** **Vaaldin, the Cosmic Void** is the enigmatic Goddess of the Stars, the Night Sky, and the boundless expanse of the cosmos. Revered as a deity of infinite mysteries, she embodies the unknown — both in the physical universe and in the realm of logic, reason, and the unexplained. While her domain includes the stars themselves, it also stretches into broader concepts like science, exploration, and the pursuit of knowledge. Vaaldin’s presence is often felt by those who seek answers beyond mortal comprehension — astronomers, scholars, and theorists alike. Her influence inspires discovery, yet humbles those who attempt to grasp the full scope of existence. Her most devoted followers understand that knowledge itself is infinite, and to pursue it is to embrace both revelation and uncertainty. Despite her ambiguous nature, Vaaldin is a steady presence for those who value logic and analysis. Wizards, artificers, and arcanists often look to her guidance, believing her whispers to be the source of innovative breakthroughs and revelations. ### **Appearance** Vaaldin is depicted as a towering, ethereal figure cloaked in a robe that swirls with constellations, nebulas, and endless galaxies. Her face is often obscured by shadow, with only her piercing silver eyes visible — glowing like distant stars. Those who claim to have seen her describe her voice as a low, cosmic hum, as though speaking directly into their mind. In some visions, Vaaldin appears as a vast cosmic form with limbs stretching across the sky like streaks of stardust, reinforcing her embodiment of the endless expanse. ### **Worshippers and Clergy** Vaaldin's followers are often those who dedicate themselves to reason, science, and the pursuit of universal understanding. Her clergy, known as the **Voidseers**, study everything from astrology to arcane theory, and often serve as advisors to kings and sages alike. **Common Worshippers Include:** - Astronomers and stargazers seeking cosmic truths - Wizards, sorcerers, and scholars pursuing advanced magical theory - Explorers and navigators seeking guidance across uncharted lands - Artificers, engineers, and scientists fascinated by the mechanics of existence Vaaldin’s faith is not driven by temples and dogma but by libraries, observatories, and laboratories — places where thought and exploration thrive. ### **Dogma** Vaaldin’s teachings emphasize understanding the unknown through patience, logic, and curiosity. Her followers are taught that all things, no matter how mysterious, can be understood — or at least accepted — through dedicated study and observation. **Core Tenets:** - The unknown is not to be feared, but embraced. - Knowledge is both limitless and humbling; mastery is an endless pursuit. - Truth is found in both reason and wonder — seek answers, but accept the infinite. Vaaldin's teachings warn against arrogance in knowledge, reminding her followers that the universe is vaster than any mind can comprehend. ### **Manifestations** Vaaldin’s presence is rarely direct, instead manifesting as signs, celestial events, or sudden insights. Scholars often claim to feel her influence when unlocking complex theories, while sailors speak of stars that inexplicably guide them to safety. **Her favored omens include:** - Stars aligning into strange constellations - Eclipses that linger unnaturally long - The faint hum of unseen energy in moments of revelation It is said that those chosen by Vaaldin may glimpse visions of the cosmos — a cryptic language of swirling stars and spiraling galaxies only they can interpret. ### **Relations with Other Deities** Vaaldin’s relationship with the other gods is distant and inscrutable. While her followers maintain that she recognizes the authority of **Olos, the Captain**, and **Vakasis, the Flame**, Vaaldin herself rarely intervenes in mortal conflict. She holds a unique kinship with **Aztis, the Arcane**, due to their shared connection to magical theory and arcane discovery. Conversely, Vaaldin’s ambiguous nature puts her at odds with chaotic deities like **Ezrasil, the Trickster**, whom she sees as disruptive to the order of logic and knowledge. Vaaldin’s followers sometimes clash with those of **Ana, the Witch**, as Ana’s reliance on instinct and nature is seen as contradictory to Vaaldin’s emphasis on reason and analysis. ### **Holy Days and Rituals** - **The Night of Infinity:** A sacred observance where followers gather in silent meditation beneath the stars. Voidseers chart constellations believed to carry prophetic meaning, while others seek guidance from Vaaldin in moments of mental clarity. - **The Festival of Lights:** Celebrated when a major celestial event occurs, such as a rare alignment of planets. Followers release glowing lanterns into the night sky to symbolize their questions being carried to Vaaldin’s endless wisdom. ### **Favored Weapons and Tools** Vaaldin’s favored weapon is the **quarterstaff**, symbolizing a scholar’s staff or the axis of the cosmos. Many of her followers also carry star-charts or enchanted compasses, believed to help them navigate both the physical world and the mysteries of the arcane. ### **Myths and Legends** - **The Celestial Map:** According to legend, Vaaldin once created a map that charted the entire universe — a swirling web of stars and symbols believed to hold the secrets of existence itself. Many scholars believe glimpses of this cosmic map appear in dreams, etched faintly into the night sky. - **The Lost Star:** An enduring myth tells of a lone star that vanished from the sky — said to be a creation of Vaaldin herself. Some believe this star still roams the void, and those who find it will unlock unimaginable knowledge.